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Facebook Scams and Fraud: Warning from Business Ethics and Fraud Prevention Speaker Chuck Gallagher

By January 8, 2010 6 Comments

AVOIDING COMMON FACEBOOK SCAMS AND FRAUD

 

Facebook Scams and Fraud

Facebook Scams and Fraud

SCAM #1

I can’t tell you lately just how many times I have had a Facebook friend pop up in chat telling me that they are having a bad day.  Seems that someone mugged them while they were visiting friends in London.  (Guess London is the new fraud hot spot?)

Anyway the fraudster goes on to request money from their Facebook friend and gives them wire transfer information.  NOTE:  THIS IS A SCAM.  I suspect that most of you have figured it out, but just in case – DON’T FALL FOR THIS HOAX.

If you receive this type of communication, Facebook provides an easy solution to help your friend avoid the SCAM continuing.  Here’s Facebook’s suggestion (and it works):

We are currently working with people whose accounts have been affected…
We are currently working with people whose accounts have been affected by money transfer scams. Please use caution around messages from friends claiming to be stranded and asking for money.Your friend’s Facebook account may have been compromised by cybercriminals attempting to impersonate them. Most frequently, these criminals will gain control of a Facebook account, and use the Chat or Status features to claim they are stuck in a far away location and in need of financial assistance.

If you have received a message like this, please enter your friend’s account information in this form so that we can make sure your friend’s account is secure.

Recently, I had two friends whose account had been hacked.  When I received the request for funds I set up a separate tab and went to Facebook directly typing in the data requested to protect my friend – while keeping the scammers on the chat line.  I copied the chat – pasted it into the Facebook location asking for specifics and while chatting with the scammers (expressing my disbelief at what had happened to them – cause I knew it was all fake), my friends account was shut down…SCAMMER FOILED!
SCAM #2
You receive the following e-mail announcement:
Dear user of facebook,Because of the measures taken to provide safety to our clients, your password has been changed.
You can find your new password in attached document.

Thanks,
Your Facebook.

This too is a CROCK OF CRAP!  DO NOT OPEN THE ZIP FILE ATTACHED.  It is only a way for someone to gain information from your email address and hack your email, Facebook account or access other information.
Hopefully this information is helpful.
If you know of other scams that are currently being used and wish to help alert other, please make a comment.  Facebook is a wonderful tool and worth keeping safe.
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